Camera mechanism

ABSTRACT

A disk film camera which is of simple, compact and inexpensive construction and yet which provides one-button operation to locate the film, expose the film, disengage the film and advance the next frame. The camera requires no separate operation to initialize a cartridge when it is loaded into the camera. A photographer is free to change his mind about taking a picture at any time after moving the shutter button until the shutter is actually released, without adversely affecting the operation of the camera, such as by jamming it or by placing any component of the camera (such as a spring) in a stressed condition for an indeterminate period of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to manually actuated cameras in which anoperating member serves as the sole manually actuated member to cock theshutter, to locate the film for exposure, to release the shutter, andthen to advance the film.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Cameras for use with a film disk have recently been introduced into themarket by Eastman Kodak Company incorporating a motor drive which isenergized by the operator to locate, expose and advance the film. Thiscamera/film combination provides the consumer with unprecedentedconvenience in that the operation is totally automated and the physicalsize permits ready pocketability. One example of the structure of such acamera is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,387 issued in the name of R.Cloutier. Although such cameras are very convenient to operate, thecomplexity of the mechanism and the cost of the motor control and themotor itself tend to make the cameras relatively expensive to produce.

Other cameras have been devised for use with disk film which are simplerin construction and operation, utilizing manual operations for filmlocation, exposure and advance. One such camera is described in U.S.Pat. No. 4,202,614, which illustrates a manually operated camera thatprovides substantially the same operational features of the Cloutiercamera, but without the expense of a motor and its controls. However,this camera does not provide the convenience of one-button operation,requiring the operator to first actuate an exposure button, andsubsequently to operate a film-advance lever to advance and locate thefilm for the next exposure.

Other examples of prior art cameras used with film disks are noted inthe aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,614 and include U.S. Pat. No.2,625,087 which discloses a camera that utilizes a reloadable filmcartridge assembly with film in the form of a disk. This camera permitsone-button operation, actuating the shutter for film exposure and thenadvancing the film for the next exposure. However, this camera does notprovide a mechanism for the accurate location of the film duringexposure and for subsequent release to permit advancing the film for thenext exposure. Thus, this camera does not provide sufficiently accuratefilm positioning to ensure high resolution photographs under allconditions.

Still other examples of prior art cameras for use with film disks aredisclosed at pages 97-98 and 100-101 of the March 1982 issue of ResearchDisclosure published by Industrial Opportunities Ltd., Havant, England.These cameras are reasonably simple and compact, providing manual andone-button operation. Nevertheless, each of these cameras suffers fromstructural limitations that detract from the operating convenience forthe customer. For example, one of these cameras suffer from the factthat the customer must first initialize the cartridge after loading,that is operate the actuating button without taking a picture, to bringthe first frame of the film into the exposure position. Thisunnecessarily complicates the opertion of the camera and is to beavoided if possible. The other cameras disclosed by this publication areso arranged and constructed to permit partial initiation of theoperating cycle and interruption of the cycle without actually taking apicture. Because of anti-back-up provisions necessary to prevent doubleexposure or double frame advancement, these arrangements undesirablynecessitate that the mechanism be left in an intermediate position withportions under stress for some indeterminate period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a disk film camera which isof simple, compact and inexpensive construction and yet which providesone-button operation to locate the film, expose the film, disengage thefilm and advance the next frame. This arrangement requires no separateoperation to initialize a cartridge when it is loaded into the camerawhile permitting the photographer the freedom to change his mind abouttaking a picture at any time after moving the actuating button until theactuating button has been depressed sufficiently to cause the shutter tobe actually released, without adversely affecting the operation of thecamera, such as by jamming it or by placing any component of the camera(such as a spring) in a condition that it will be stressed for anindeterminate period of time.

According to one aspect of the present invention a disk camera isprovided having a shutter, cockable and releasable shutter actuatingmeans, film advancing means, and a film locating means movable between afilm locating position and a film releasing position. A release memberis arranged for movement in opposite first and second directions. Whenmoved in the first direction, the release member is arranged to firstcock the shutter actuating means and to move the film locating meansinto the film locating position and then to release the shutteractuating means to actuate the shutter. When the release member is movedin the second direction, it moves the film locating means into the filmreleasing position and then actuates the film advancing means.

Further, the present invention provides a camera having a film chamberarranged to receive a film element, a shutter means, a film advancepawl, a metering member and a platen pressure member, both movablebetween first positions and second positions. The first position of theplaten pressure member is a film locating position and the secondposition is a film releasing position. The first position of themetering member is a film engaging position and the second position is afilm disengaging position. A film advance means is arranged to move afilm element in the film chamber. A release member is supported formovement in opposite first and second directions and is operativelyconnected to the shutter means and the platen pressure member. Therelease member is operatively connected to the shutter means and theplaten pressure member for moving the platen pressure member into thefirst position and then for actuating the shutter means when the releasemember is moved in the first direction. Means is provided connecting therelease member to the metering member for moving the metering member andthe platen pressure member into the second positions when the releasemember is moved in the second direction after actuation of the shuttermeans. The release member is also operatively connected to the filmadvance means for advancing the film after the platen pressure memberand the metering member have moved to the second positions. After thefilm has started to advance, the release member then moves the meteringmember into the first position.

Still further, the present invention provides a disk camera having afilm chamber arranged to receive a disk film element, a shutter means, afilm advance pawl, and a metering member and a platen pressure memberboth movable between first positions and second positions. The firstposition of the platen pressure member is a film locating position, andthe second position is a film releasing position. The first position ofthe metering member is a film engaging position, and the second positionis a film disengaging position. A shutter actuating means is providedcomprising a cockable and releasable high energy lever fixed at one endand having a shutter actuating portion at the opposite end. A cockingmember includes cam means arranged to engage a first surface of the highenergy lever while cocking the shutter actuating portion and to engagethe opposite surface of the high energy lever after release of theshutter actuating portion. A film drive member is engageable by the filmadvance pawl and is arranged to rotatably move a disk film element inthe film chamber. A sensing member normally urges the film advance pawlinto engagement with the film drive member, but means is provided on thehigh energy lever for disengaging the sensing member from the filmadvance pawl as the high energy lever is being cocked. A release memberis supported for movement in opposite first and second directions. Therelease member is operatively connected to the cocking member and to theplaten pressure member for moving the cocking member in a firstdirection with respect to the high energy lever to cock the shutteractuating portion while moving the platen pressure member into the firstposition and then for releasing the high energy lever to actuate theshutter when the release member is moved in the first direction. Therelease member is operatively connected to the metering member formoving the platen pressure member and the metering member into thesecond positions when the release member is moved in the seconddirection after actuating the shutter. The release member is alsooperatively connected to the film advance pawl for engaging the drivemember to advance the film after the platen pressure member and themetering member have moved to the second positions and then to move themetering member into the first position. Short stroke means is provided,effective after film advancement has commenced for engaging the cockingmember to prevent movement of the release member in the first directionuntil completion of the movement of the release member in the seconddirection.

Various means for practicing the invention and other features andadvantages thereof will be apparent from the following detaileddescription of illustrative preferred embodiments of the invention,reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

In The Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a camera incorporating theinvention depicting the camera in its normal operating position;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 1depicting the camera in a horizontal, "face-down" position;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the camera shown in FIG. 1,depicting the loading door in an open position and showing a filmcartridge in position for loading into the camera;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the film cartridge shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of the camera shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the high energy lever and thecocking member;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the platen pressure plungermember;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the metering pawland the metering arm member, as well as the guide track and island;

FIG. 9 is a view of a portion of the camera just prior to firing theshutter;

FIG. 10 is a view of a portion of the camera with the loading door latchreleased after exposure of a complete disk; and

FIG. 11 is a view of a portion of the camera with the loading door latchreleased after less than complete exposure of a disk.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although the present invention is applicable to various kinds ofcameras, the illustrative embodiments are directed to cameras adapted touse disk film cartridges of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,309,096, entitled FILM CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY WITH PRESSURE PLATE whichissued in the name of G. S. Sethi.

General Description of Cartridge and Camera

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, thereis shown front and rear perspective views of a camera 10 incorporatingthe present invention. The camera comprises a body in the form of arelatively thin, generally square box. The camera front, shown in FIG.1, includes a picture-taking lens 12, a viewfinder 14 and a shutterrelease button 16 movable vertically along a slot 18. Additionally, thecamera can be provided with a movable lens cover door 19, (FIG. 5) as iswell known in the art. As shown in FIG. 2, a door release lever 20,disposed in the bottom edge of the camera, is operable to unlatch a reardoor 22 of the camera so that it may be opened for loading a filmcartridge assembly into a receiving chamber, as will be more fullydescribed hereinbelow.

A film cartridge 24 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and, according to theteachings of the foregoing Sethi patent, comprises a generally flatlight-tight plastic housing 25 enclosing a rotatable disk of film 26provided with a central hub 27 that is accessible from the exterior ofthe housing. The film disk is provided with a plurality of uniformlyspaced exposure regions 28 defined by previously exposing thesurrounding portion of the film. Each of the exposure regions isassociated with a corresponding adjacent metering notch 30, locatedalong the edge of the film disk in a clockwise direction from therespective exposure region, as viewed in FIG. 4. An exposure window 32in the front wall 34 of the cartridge housing 25 is provided with acover slide 36 that is pivotably movable into and out of alignment withthe exposure window by means of a slide operating pin 37 (FIG. 3) thatextends through an arcuate slot 38 in the camera wall and is receivedbetween two studs 40 on the cover slide. The rear wall of the cartridgehousing 25 includes a pressure plate member 44 in alignment with theexposure window 32 in the front wall. An exposure counter dial 46 on thecorresponding face of the film disk hub 27 is also visible through therear wall.

When the cartridge is loaded into the receiving chamber of the camera, apin 47 in the camera enters light-tight opening 48 in the frontcartridge wall and releases a locking device, not shown, that intiallylocks the cover slide 36 in alignment with window 32. Initially, asviewed in FIG. 3, the film disk is located in its extreme clockwiseposition, defined by the engagement of a hub ear with the lower edge ofa cartridge ear. From this position the film disk initially must berotated in a counterclockwise direction through an angle equal toapproximately 1/3 the angle between adjacent image areas to bring thefirst available image area into exposure position. Similarly, when thefilm disk has rotated through somewhat less than 360 degrees to itsextreme counterclockwise position, after exposure of all of the imageareas, the engagement of the hub ear with the upper edge of thecartridge ear locates the last exposure area counterclockwise of theexposure window by an angle equal to approximately 1/3 the angle betweensuccessive exposure areas.

FIG. 3 shows the camera's rear loading door 22, which is hinged to thecamera body at 70 and held in its closed position by a latch 72 and 73that is releasable by means of lever 20. When the loading door is open,as shown in FIG. 3, the film cartridge 24 is insertable into cartridgechamber 74, in which the front wall 34 of the cartridge lies adjacentthe rear surface of an intermediate camera wall 76, located rearwardlyof the major components of the camera mechanism to which the presentinvention is directed. When the cartridge is loaded into the chamber 74,a film support frame member 82, aligned with the camera lens, isreceived in the exposure window 32 of the cartridge. A driving camerahub member 84 engages the hub 27 of the film disk, and the slideoperating pin 37 engages the cover slide. Closing the cover door causesits spring members (not shown) to seat the cartridge against theintermediate wall member and brings a pressure applying member 90,supported by spring arms 92, into alignment with the cartridge pressureplate member 44. Latching of the door causes slide operating pin 37 tomove the cover slide out of alignment with the exposure window so thatthe exposure region of the film disk can be supported against framemember 82 by the pressure plate under the influence of the pressureapplying member 90. When the cover slide is open, a metering pawl tooth98 extends through the exposure window and engages the metering notch 30in the periphery of the film disk to control its incremental rotation.After the film disk has been exposed, the process by which the coverdoor is unlatched first withdraws the metering pawl tooth from theexposure window and moves the cover slide to close the exposure window.This occurs before the door can be opened, thereby preventing accidentallight damage to the exposed film. As the cartridge is removed, theunlocking pin 47 withdraws from the cartridge opening 48, thus allowingthe locking device to again lock the cover slide in its closed position.The foregoing is functionally similar to the mechanism used incommercial cameras.

Referring now to the exploded front view of FIG. 5, the front surface ofthe intermediate camera wall 76 provides the main mounting member forthe camera mechanism components. The lens assembly 100 and the filmsupport frame member 82 (FIG. 3) are constructed as a unitary structureto assure the requisite film-to-lens location and are mounted through anopening 101 in the intermediate camera wall 76.

The camera hub or film drive member 84 (FIG. 3) extends through anopening 103 in the intermediate camera wall 76 and is an integral partof and coaxial with a drive ratchet gear 102 on the forward side of thewall. An axial shaft having an intermediate diameter 106 and a reduceddiameter 108 at the forward end extends forwardly of the ratchet gear102, with the forward end being rotatably located in an opening (notshown) in a mechanism plate 112 overlying the intermediate wall 76 andthe components thereon. The ratchet gear is provided with the samenumber of teeth as there are image areas on the film disk, 15 in thecase of the presently commercially available film.

The front surface of the intermediate wall 76 is provided with locatingposts 114 and 116 on which a short stroke lever 118 and a sensing lever120, to be further described hereinbelow, are pivotally mounted. Cockinglever guide tracks 122 and 123 are also provided on the front surface ofthe intermediate wall, as are a platen pressure member guide track 124and a metering member guide track and island, 126 and 128.

The metering pawl tooth 98 is carried at one end of a sickle-shapedmetering pawl 130 which is pivotally supported by an axle 132 so thatthe tooth can be moved perpendicular to the intermediate wall 76. Thepawl 130 is spring-loaded in the film-engaging position as by spring,not shown. The pawl 130 is provided with a foot portion 134 adjacent theratchet gear 102 and a tab 136 overlying the island 128. (See FIG. 8.)

A platen pressure plunger member 138 (see FIG. 7), having an elongatedpin portion 140 extending through the intermediate wall into engagementwith the pressure applying member 90, is disposed at one end of theplaten pressure member guide track 124 and is arranged for movementperpendicular to the intermediate wall under the influence of a platenpressure member 142.

The camera loading door latch 72 is operatively connected by a link 144to the door release lever 20, which is pivotally connected to theintermediate wall 76. The door release lever 20 is also operativelyconnected by a link 148 to a dark slide lever 146. The dark slide leverincludes the slide operating pin 37, which extends through, and ismovable in, slot 38 in the intermediate wall 76. The dark slide leverencircles the hub member 84, between the ratchet gear 102 and theintermediate wall 76, and is arranged to move the dark slide operatingpin 37 counterclockwise to close the cartridge dark slide as the doorrelease lever 20 is rotated clockwise to release the camera loading doorlatch 72. The dark slide lever 146 is also provided with a cam surface150 which is arranged to engage and depress the foot 134 of the meteringpawl 130, thereby retracting the metering pawl tooth 98 from themetering notch 30 in the film disk to permit closure of the cartridgedark slide as the door release 20 lever is rotated clockwise.

A release member 152 is mounted on the intermediate diameter portion 106of the ratchet gear shaft and is arranged for reciprocating pivotalmotion thereon in opposite first and second directions. The releasemember carries and operates a cocking lever or member 154, a filmadvancing means such as film advance pawl 156, and film locating meanssuch as the platen pressure member 142. The release member is arrangedto move from its initial, at-rest position, illustrated in FIG. 5, in afirst, counterclockwise direction, and then to return to the initialposition when moved in a second, clockwise direction. The release lever152 is also provided with pins 190 and 192 extending from the frontsurface thereof as well as with spring-anchoring caps 194 and 195. Therelease lever has a cam portion 196 engageable by a pin 198 on the frontsurface of the door release lever 20. A spring arm 200 is also providedon the release lever 152 which engages a post 202 on the intermediatewall 76 when the release member is in the extreme counterclockwiseposition.

The cocking lever or member 154 (see also FIG. 6) is pivotally mountedon the release member 152 and comprises cam portion 158 for engaging ashutter actuating means such as a high energy member or lever 220. Thecocking member also includes a follower surface 160, a resilientfollower arm 162, and a stop surface 164. The cocking lever is given agenerally reciprocating motion by the release member, which motion iscontrolled by the follower surface 160 riding on guide track 122 and bythe resilient follower arm 162 following guide track 123 on theintermediate wall 76.

The platen pressure member 142 is pivotally mounted on the releasemember 152 and is arranged for reciprocating motion along theintermediate wall 76 guided by track 124 between a first position and asecond position. At the right-most extent of its travel, as viewed inFIG. 5, when the release member reaches the end of its counterclockwisemotion, the end 166 of the platen pressure member is arranged to slidebetween the intermediate wall 76 and the pressure plunger member 138,lifting the plunger member away from wall 76 against the force of spring168 and thereby withdrawing pin portion 140 from the pressure applyingmember 90. This is the first, film locating, position of the platenpressure member. The second position of the platen pressure member is afilm releasing position and occurs when the end 166 disengages thepressure plunger member 138.

The film locating means also includes a metering arm member 170 carriedby the platen pressure member 142. The metering member is movablebetween a first, film locating position and a second, film releasingposition, and is arranged, on the rightward stoke as viewed in FIG. 5,to follow track 126 and be deflected downwardly around island 128. (Seealso FIG. 8.) At the end of the rightward stroke, the metering armresiliently returns upward on the right side of island 128. The rightside of the island is provided with a ramped surface 129. The meteringmember is normally in the first, film locating position except when, onthe return, leftward stroke, the metering arm is pulled up the rampedsurface over the island, engaging and lifting the tab 136 of themetering pawl 130, thereby withdrawing the metering pawl tooth 98 fromthe metering notch 30 in the film disk. As the leftward strokecontinues, the metering arm drops off the left side of the island,returning to the first position at the end of the stroke.

The sensing lever or member 120, which is generally t-shaped, ispivotally mounted at the upper end on post 116 and is biased in acounterclockwise direction by a spring portion 117 integrally formedthereon. The lower end 172 of the sensing lever is normally springbiased into engagement with the film advance pawl 156 to urge the pawlinto driving engagement with ratchet gear 102 of the film drive member.Surface 174 at the upper end of the sensing lever is arranged forengagement by a portion of the high energy lever 220 to disengage thelower end 172 from the advance pawl 156 at the appropriate time in theoperational sequence.

The short stroke lever 118, which is generally L-shaped, is pivotallymounted on post 114 and is spring biased in a clockwise direction. Theupper end of the short stroke lever is provided with a stop surface 176which is arranged to engage stop surface 164 on the cocking lever 154when the short stroke lever is biased in the clockwise direction. Pin178 on the upper end of the short stroke lever engages the sensing lever120, when the sensing lever is rotated clockwise, to rotate the shortstroke lever counterclockwise, whereby the stop surface 176 is out ofthe path of the cocking lever 154. The lower end 180 of the short strokelever is arranged, when in the extreme clockwise position to be engagedby surface 181 of the dark slide lever link 148 when the door releaselever 20 is actuated.

The film advance member or pawl 156 is pivotally mounted on the releasemember 152 and comprises an arcuate member having a ratchetgear-engaging tooth 182. The advance pawl is normally biased out ofengagement with the ratchet gear 102 by means of a spring 184. Theadvance pawl is also provided with an auxiliary operating arm 186.Ordinarily, the advance pawl 156 is urged into engagement with theratchet gear 102 by the end 172 of the sensing lever 120 at theappropriate time in the operational sequence, as will be describedhereinbelow. The auxiliary operating arm 186 is arranged for engagementby a cam surface 188 on the door release lever 20 as it is rotatedcounterclockwise to relatch the rear loading door 68.

The mechanism plate 112 overlies the release member 152 and itsassociated components and, as noted above, supports the end 108 of theratchet gear shaft. The mechanism plate also aligns the front end of thelens assembly 100 and guide pins 205 of the platen pressure plungermember 138. A shutter blade guide track 206 is provided in the front ofthe mechanism plate in alignment with openings (not shown) in the lensassembly.

A shutter blade 210 is arranged for reciprocating motion in a shuttertrack 206 and is biased against the lower end of an anvil 212, above thelens assembly, by a spring 214. The upper end of the anvil is arrangedto be struck by a hammer or shutter actuating portion 218 at one end ofthe high energy member or lever 220, which is fixed at the opposite endin the mechanism plate, and transmits the force to the shutter blade210. The high energy lever 220 is formed of a high strength, highlyresilient material, such as spring steel, and is provided with an ear222 arranged to engage the cam portion 158 of the cocking lever 154. Atab 224 on the high energy lever is arranged to engage surface 174 ofthe sensing lever 120 when the high energy lever is cocked.

A collar 225 extending from the front surface of the mechanism plate 112is disposed concentrically around shaft 108. An anti-creep spring 226 iscoupled to shaft 108 with spring arms 228 engaging the inner surface ofcollar 225 to prevent the ratchet gear 102 from being rotatedcounterclockwise by friction between the release member 152 and theshaft 108.

A release lever spring 230 is tensioned between a cap 232 on themechanism plate 112 and cap 194 on the release member 152 to urge therelease member in the clockwise direction.

The back of the shutter button 16 is provided with a collar 236 which isarranged to drivingly engage pin 190 on the release lever 152.

The protective lens cover door 19 is disposed over the front end of thelens assembly 100 and is movable about a guiding pin 240, extending fromthe front of the mechanism plate, by pin 192 extending from the releaselever 152. The lens cover is provided with a slot 244 and a spring 246which cooperate with the pin 192.

Operation of the Camera

ln the operation of a loaded camera of the present invention (adescription of the loading and unloading operation is presentedhereinbelow), the user merely aims the camera via the viewfinder 14,depresses the shutter release button 16, and then releases the shutterbutton. When the shutter release button is depressed, the shutter iscocked, the film pressure plate engages the film and the shutter isactuated. When the shutter release button is released, the pressureplate disengages the film, the metering pawl is removed from the filmmetering notch, the film is advanced to the next frame, and the meteringpawl engages the next film metering notch. A detailed description of theoperation of the mechanism of the present invention follows.

When the shutter release button 16 is depressed, it rotates the releasemember 152 counterclockwise against the force of spring 230. The releasemember moves the lens cover door 19 from in front of the lens 12, andthe cocking lever 154, guided by guide track 122, and through engagementof cam portion 158 with ear 222, cocks the high energy lever 220. As thehigh energy lever is cocked, i.e. as the hammer 218 is lifted from theend of the anvil 212, the tab 224 of the high energy lever engages thesurface 174 of the sensing lever 120, urging it in the clockwisedirection. This assures that the lower end 172 of the sensing lever isout of engagement with the advance pawl 156 so that no rotational forcecan be incidentally imparted to the film disk through the drive hubduring the exposure sequence. The sensing lever also rotates the shortstroke lever 118 counterclockwise by engaging the pin 178 on the upperend thereof, to move the stop surface 176 out of the path of the cockinglever.

At the same time, the platen pressure member 142 has been moved to theright (in FIG. 5) guided by track 124 until it has slid between theintermediate wall 76 and the pressure plunger member 138, withdrawingpin portion 140 from the pressure applying member 90 in the cameraloading door 22. Thus, the pressure member is free to apply pressure tothe pressure plate member 44 in the film cartridge, pressing the filmagainst the film support frame member 82 and accurately locating thefilm in the exposure plane for optimum focus resolution. The meteringarm member 170 has also been moved to the right along with the platenpressure member and, guided by the guide track 126 and island 128, is atthe right side of the island ready to be pulled up the ramped surfacewhen the release member 152 reverses direction.

The advance pawl 156, free of influence by the sensing lever, is urgedaway from the ratchet gear 102 by its spring 184 as it movescounterclockwise with the release member 152. The angular rotation ofthe release member between the rest position and the extremecounterclockwise position is just sufficient to position the advancepawl adjacent the next ratchet gear tooth so that, on the return stroke,the gear is advanced by one tooth, to move the film disk by one frame.

Toward the end of the counterclockwise motion of the release member 152,the spring arm 200 thereon engages post 202 to provide a counteractingforce to offset the shock of the release of the high energy lever as theear 222 falls off the cam portion 158 of the cocking lever 154. Thisassures that the camera user does not feel a change in spring force onthe shutter button as the high energy lever force is removed, whichcould generate unwanted camera shake just as the shutter is opened.

The position of the camera mechanism illustrated in FIG. 8 is just priorto the release of the high energy lever. It is at this position that thecamera user still has the option of whether or not to expose the film.If he chooses not to make the exposure, he may release the shutterbutton, and the camera mechanism returns to the "at-rest" conditionwithout any portion thereof, such as springs, etc., being placed understress until an exposure is actually made.

If the user choses to make the exposure, he merely continues to pressthe shutter button causing the release member to rotate to the end ofits counterclockwise motion, pulling the cocking lever 154 to the leftand causing the ear 222 of the high energy lever 220 to fall off the camportion 158. The energy stored in the cocked high energy lever drivesthe hammer 218 against the upper end of anvil 212 which transmits theenergy to the shutter blade 210, driving it down against the force ofspring 214. The energy imparted to the shutter blade relative to themass and length of the shutter blade and the force of spring 214 issufficient to drive the end of the shutter blade beyond the aperture ofthe lens assembly 100 for a time sufficient to provide the desiredexposure, after which the spring 214 returns the shutter blade to thestarting position, closing the exposure aperture.

After making the exposure, the user releases the shutter button 16, andthe release lever spring 230 acts upon the release lever 152 to rotateit clockwise and to also return the shutter button to its initialposition. As the release member 152 commences the clockwise movement,the platen pressure member 142 is moved to the left and is withdrawnfrom between the intermediate wall 76 and the pressure plunger member138. Accordingly, pin portion 140 is pushed by spring 168 intoengagement with the pressure applying member 90 in the camera door 22,thereby relieving the pressure on the pressure plate member 44 in thefilm cartridge. At the same time, the metering arm member 170 is pulledup the ramp surface 129 of island 128, engaging the tab 136 (FIG. 5) ofthe metering pawl 130, thereby withdrawing the metering pawl tooth 98from engagement with the metering notch 30 in the film disk. At thispoint substantially all restraining forces have been removed from thefilm disc so that it is free to be advanced to the next frame.

When the ear 222 of the high energy lever 220 drops off the cam portion158 of the cocking lever 154, the high energy lever tab 224 disengagesthe sensing lever 120, permitting it to rotate counterclockwise underthe influence of its spring portion 117, urging its lower end 172 intoengagement with the advance pawl 156 and bringing the tooth 182 intoengagement with the ratchet gear 102. At this time the film disc hasstarted to rotate, and the metering arm member 170 drops off the leftside of the island, permitting the metering pawl tooth to ride on thesurface of the film disk. Thus, as movement of the release member 152continues in the clockwise direction, the ratchet gear 102 is advancedvia engagement with the advance pawl 156 and rotates the film disk tothe next exposure position at which point the metering pawl tooth 98engages the next film notch to locate the disk for the next exposure.

After disengaging the high energy lever 220, the cam portion 158 of thecocking lever 154 rides up and over the high energy lever ear 222 untilit returns to the rightmost position and is pushed downwardly off theear to its original position by the resilient follower arm 162. Inasmuchas the cocking lever is above the high energy lever during the returnstroke, there is no possibility of inadvertent actuation of the highenergy lever by any downward movement of the shutter button during thereturn motion.

After the sensing lever has been spring-biased into engagement with theadvance pawl 156, the short stroke lever 118 is spring biased in aclockwise direction and rests upon the top surface of the cocking lever154 until the stop surface 176 engages the stop surface 174 on thecocking lever. The relative positions of these stop surfaces are suchthat engagement occurs during the final portion of the return stroke andprevents the release lever from being reversed, eliminating thepossibility of the re-engagement of the advance pawl with the next toothon the ratchet gear 102. Thus, the camera operator is prevented frominadvertently advancing more than one frame of film at a time. As thecocking member returns to its initial position, the cocking lever cam158 drops off the ear 222 of the high energy lever 220, and the nextexposure sequence may be commenced. This is effectuated because, as thecocking lever is subsequently moved to the left, it again re-engages thehigh energy lever which engages the sensing lever 120 and in turn liftsthe short stroke lever 119, removing it from the path of the cockinglever. The return of the mechanism to the initial position completes thecycle and also closes the lens cover door 19, protecting the lens untilthe next exposure is made.

After exposing the 15th, and final, film frame of a cartridge, the filmadvance mechanism commences to advance the film disk but is stopped inmid-stroke. This results from the engagement of the film hub ear withthe cartridge ear as described above, signifying the complete exposureof that film cartridge. Full return of the release member 152 in theclockwise direction is prevented by the blocking of further rotation ofthe disk by engagement of the hub ear with the upper edge of thecartridge ear. The shutter button is likewise stopped before it returnsto its "at-rest" position. However, the clockwise motion of the releaselever is sufficient to permit the short stroke lever 118 to engage thecocking lever 154 to prevent the shutter button from being depressedagain. Thus, the shutter button is locked in an intermediate positionindicating to the camera user that the last film frame of the cartridgehas been exposed and that the cartridge must be removed for processing.The clockwise motion of the release lever is also sufficient to returnthe lens cover to the closed position to protect the lens should theuser not immediately replace the exposed film cartridge. This resultsfrom the cooperation of the configuration of the slot 244 and the spring246 and their cooperation with the pin 192 on the release lever.

Unloading and Loading

The camera user then opens the camera to remove the exposed filmcartridge and replace it with a fresh, unexposed film cartridge. As thedoor release lever 20 is rotated clockwise, the following operationsoccur simultaneously: the dark side link 148 rotates the dark slidelever 146 counterclockwise; pin 198 on the front surface of the doorrelease lever engages the cam portion 196 of the release lever 152 andcam surface 181 of the dark slide link 148 engages the lower end 180 ofthe short stroke lever 118. As the dark slide lever 146 is rotatedcounterclockwise, the dark slide operating pin 37 closes the dark slideof the cartridge. At the same time, the cam surface 150 of the darkslide lever engages and depresses the foot 134 (FIG. 5) of the meteringpawl 130, to retract the metering tooth from the metering notch of thefilm disk, clearing the way for the closure of the dark side. This alloccurs before the loading door latch 72 (FIG. 5) is actuated to releasethe rear loading door 22 (FIG. 3). The short stroke lever 118 is movedcounterclockwise by engagement with the dark slide link cam surface 181to remove the stop surface 176 out of the path of the cocking lever 154so that the release member 152 may be rotated counterclockwise by thedoor release lever. This is necessary because the cocking lever is stillabove the high energy lever 220 after the advance of the film disk wasinterrupted because the final film frame in the disk cartridge had beenexposed.

At this point, the camera mechanism is as illustrated in FIG. 10 and theloading door has been released to permit removal of the exposedcartridge and insertion of a new cartridge.

After insertion of a new film cartridge into the camera, the rear dooris closed, and engaged by the latch 72, permitting the door releaselever 20 to rotate counterclockwise. As this occurs, the dark slidelever 146 is rotated clockwise, opening the dark slide in the new filmcartridge and disengaging the metering pawl 130. At the same time, theadvance pawl 156 is urged into engagement with the ratchet gear 102 bythe sensing lever 120. Accordingly, the ratchet gear is rotated by thereturn of the release lever in the clockwise direction to advance thefilm disk to bring the first frame into alignment with the camera lenswhere the metering pawl tooth engages the metering notch for that frameof film. At that point, the camera mechanism has returned to the initial"at-rest" position, ready for exposure of the first frame.

While the foregoing unloading and loading operation has been describedwith respect to fully exposed and completely unexposed film cartridges,the same operations occur with partially exposed cartridges without riskof loss of a previously exposed frame or mechanical jamming of thecamera. In this situation, as illustrated in FIG. 11, since thepreceding camera operation would not have been interrupted in mid-cycle,the cocking lever 154 would partially cock the high energy lever 220 asthe release member 152 is rotated counterclockwise by the door releaselever 20. At the same time, the dark slide lever 146 closes the darkslide and retracts the metering tooth from the disk, as described above.Because the high energy lever is partially cocked, the sensing lever 120is rotated clockwise by the high energy lever tab 224, removing theforce on the advance pawl 156 and moving the short stroke lever 118 outof the path of the cocking lever. Accordingly, after the new cartridgehas been loaded into the camera and the rear door is closed, as the doorrelease lever 20 is returned to the closed position, the cam surface 188thereof engages the auxillary operating arm 186 on the advance pawl 156to move it into engagement with the ratchet gear 102 so that the newfilm disk will be initially rotated to bring the first image area intoexposure position.

Alternative Embodiments

While the present invention has been described with respect to apreferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that variations in portionsof the structure may be employed without departing from the concept ofthe invention.

For example, while an impact shutter actuated by a high energy lever hasbeen illustrated, it will be understood that other types of shutters maybe employed. For example, a simple two-blade shutter may be employedactuated by the release member when it is moved in the first directionand recocked by the release member when it is moved in the oppositedirection. Similarly, a single-blade shutter can be employed with acapping blade in place of the impact shutter. In this case, the cappingblade can also function as, or in place of, the lens cover.

Similarly, the impact shutter can be modified by omitting the anvil 212so that the hammer 218 of the high energy lever directly engages the endof the shutter blade 210. Also, the anvil can be replaced by a piezocrystal which, when struck by the high energy lever, provides energy fora flash lamp (not shown). Still further, in the absence of the piezocrystal, the high energy lever and the anvil can function as a flashsynchronizing switch to fire an external flash (not shown). Likewise,another form of flash synchronizing switch may be provided, as is wellknown in the art.

In another embodiment, the shutter button 16 can be connected to therelease member 152 by a spring member in place of the collar 236 and pin190. With this construction, the forcing of the shutter button to the"at-rest" position, for example after exposure of the fifteenth frame,would merely tension that spring and would not damage the cameramechanism.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a simple, compact camera foruse with a film disk that provides one-button operation while enablingthe photographer to discontinue taking a photograph after once starting,without jamming the mechanism or placing it under stress for someindeterminate time. The mechanism is formed of a minimum of simple,inexpensive parts and yet provides all of the functions of more complex,more expensive cameras.

The invention has been described with reference to specific embodimentsand variations, but it should be apparent that other modifications andvariations can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention,which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In a disk camera having a shutter, cockable andreleasable shutter actuating means, film advancing means, and filmlocating means movable between a film locating position and a filmreleasing position, the improvement comprising:a release member arrangedfor movement in opposite first and second directions, said releasemember arranged, when moved in said first direction, to first cock saidshutter actuating means and to move said film locating means into saidfilm locating position and then to release said shutter actuating meansto actuate said shutter; said release member, when moved in said seconddirection, arranged to move said film locating means into said filmreleasing position and then to actuate said film advancing means; saidshutter actuating means including a high energy member fixed at one endand having a shutter actuating portion at the opposite end; and acocking member operatively connected to said release member andincluding a cam means arranged to engage a first surface of the highenergy member while cocking said shutter actuating portion and to engagethe opposite surface of the high energy member after release of theshutter actuating portion.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 whereinsaid film advancing means includes a film advance pawl operativelyconnected to said release member and a film drive member engageable bysaid film advance pawl; anda sensing member arranged to normally urgethe film advance pawl into engagement with said film drive member. 3.The invention according to claim 2 wherein said sensing member isengaged by the high energy member as it is being cocked to disengage thesensing member from said film advance pawl.
 4. The invention accordingto claim 2 wherein means is arranged to engage said cocking member afterfilm advancement has commenced to prevent movement of the release memberin the first direction until completion of the movement of the movablemember in said second direction.
 5. The invention according to claim 2wherein anti-creep means is provided to maintain said film drive memberstationary during movement of the release member in said firstdirection.
 6. A camera comprising:a film chamber arranged to receive afilm element; a shutter means; a film advance member; a metering memberand a platen pressure member, both movable between first positions andsecond positions, said first position of said platen pressure memberbeing a film locating position and said second position being a filmreleasing position, said first position of said metering member being afilm engaging position and said second position being a film disengagingposition; a shutter actuating means comprising a cockable and releasablehigh energy member fixed at one end and having a shutter actuatingportion at the opposite end; a cocking member arranged to engage thehigh energy member to cock said shutter actuating portion; a film drivemember engageable by said film advance member and arranged to move afilm element in said chamber; a release member supported for movement inopposite first and second directions, said release member beingoperatively connected to said cocking member and to said platen pressuremember for moving said cocking lever in a first direction with respectto said high energy member to cock said shutter actuating portion whilemoving said platen pressure member into said first position and then forreleasing said high energy member to actuate said shutter when saidrelease member is moved in said first direction; means operativelyconnecting said release member to said metering member for moving saidmetering member and said platen pressure member into said secondpositions when said release member is moved in said second directionafter actuation of said shutter means; said cocking member including acam portion arranged to engage a first surface of said high energymember while cocking said shutter actuating portion and to engage theopposite surface of the high energy lever after release of said shutteractuating portion; and means operatively connecting said release memberto said film advance member for engaging said drive member with saidfilm advance member to advance the film after said platen pressuremember and said metering member have moved to the second positions, andthen to move said metering member into said first position.
 7. Theinvention according to claim 6 wherein a sensing member is arranged tonormally urge the film advance member into engagement with said filmdrive member, said sensing member being disengaged from said filmadvance member by the high energy member as it is being cocked.
 8. Adisk camera comprising:a film chamber arranged to receive a disk filmelement; a shutter means; a film advance pawl; a metering member and aplaten pressure member, both movable between first positions and secondpositions, said first position of said platen pressure member being afilm locating position and said second position being a film releasingposition, said first position of said metering member being a filmengaging position and said second position being a film disengagingposition; a shutter actuating means comprising a cockable and releasablehigh energy lever fixed at one end and having a shutter actuatingportion at the opposite end; a cocking member including cam meansarranged to engage a first surface of the high energy lever whilecocking said shutter actuating portion and to engage the oppositesurface of the high energy lever after release of said shutter actuatingportion; a film drive member engageable by said film advance pawl andarranged to rotatably move a disk film element in said chamber; asensing member normally urging said film advance pawl into engagementwith said film drive member; a release member supported for movement inopposite first and second directions, said release member beingoperatively connected to said cocking member and to said platen pressuremember for moving said cocking lever in a first direction with respectto said high energy lever to cock said shutter actuating portion whilemoving said platen pressure member into said first position and then forreleasing said high energy lever to actuate said shutter when saidrelease member is moved in said first direction; means on said highenergy lever for disengaging said sensing member from said film advancepawl as said high energy lever is being cocked; means operativelyconnecting said release member to said metering member for moving saidmetering member and said platen pressure member into said secondpositions when said release member is moved in said second directionafter actuation of said shutter means; means operatively connecting saidrelease member to said film advance pawl for engaging said drive memberwith said film advance pawl to advance the film after said platenpressure member and said metering member have moved to the secondpositions, and then to move said metering member into said firstposition; and short stroke means effective after film advancement hascommenced for preventing movement of the release member in the firstdirection until completion of the movement of the release member in thesecond direction.
 9. The invention according to claim 8 wherein saidcamera is provided with a film chamber closure door, a door-retaininglatch, and means for releasing said latch, said means for releasing saidlatch arranged to move said platen pressure member and said meteringmember to said second positions when said latch is released.
 10. Theinvention according to claim 9 wherein said latch release means isarranged to move said film advance pawl into engagement with said filmdrive member when said latch release means re-engages said latch.
 11. Acamera comprising:a film chamber arranged to receive a film element; ashutter means; a film advance means; a metering member and a platenpressure member, both movable between first positions and secondpositions, said first position of said platen pressure member being afilm locating position and said second position being a film releasingposition, said first position of said metering member being a filmengaging position and said second position being a film disengagingposition; a film drive member engageable by said film advance means andarranged to move a film element in said chamber; a release membersupported for movement in opposite first and second directions, saidrelease member being operatively connected to said shutter means and tosaid platen pressure member for moving said platen pressure member intosaid first position and then for actuating said shutter means when saidrelease member is moved in said first direction; means operativelyconnecting said release member to said metering member for moving saidmetering member and said platen pressure member into said secondpositions when said release member is moved in said second directionafter actuation of said shutter means; means operatively connecting saidrelease member to said film advance means for engaging said drive memberwith said film advance means to advance the film after said platenpressure member and said metering member have moved to the secondpositions, and then to move said metering member into said firstposition; and a sensing member normally urging the film advance meansinto engagement with said film drive member, means for disengaging saidsensing member from said film advance means during movement of saidrelease member in the first direction until said shutter means isactuated.
 12. A camera comprising:a film chamber arranged to receive afilm element; a shutter means; a film advance pawl; a metering memberand a platen pressure member, both movable between first positions andsecond positions, said first position of said platen pressure memberbeing a film locating position and said second position being a filmreleasing position, said first position of said metering member being afilm engaging position and said second position being a film disengagingposition; a film drive member engageable by said film advance pawl andarranged to move a film element in said chamber; a sensing membernormally urging said film advance pawl into engagement with said filmdrive member; a release member supported for movement in opposite firstand second directions, said release member being operatively connectedto said shutter means and to said platen pressure member for moving saidplaten pressure member into said first position and then for actuatingsaid shutter means when said release member is moved in said firstdirection; means for disengaging said sensing member from said filmadvance pawl during movement of said release member in the firstdirection until said shutter means is actuated; means operativelyconnecting said release member to said metering member for moving saidmetering member and said platen pressure member into said secondpositions when said release member is moved in said second directionafter actuation of said shutter means; and means operatively connectingsaid release member to said film advance pawl for engaging said drivemember with said film advance pawl to advance the film after said platenpressure member and said metering member have moved to the secondpositions, and then to move said metering member into said firstposition.
 13. A disk camera comprising:a film chamber arranged toreceive a disk film element; a shutter means; a film advance pawl; ametering member and a platen pressure member, both movable between firstpositions and second positions, said first position of said platenpressure member being a film locating position and said second positionbeing a film releasing position, said first position of said meteringmember being a film engaging position and said second position being afilm disengaging position; a film drive member engageable by said filmadvance pawl and arranged to rotatably move a disk film element in saidchamber; a sensing member normally urging said film advance pawl intoengagement with said film drive member; a release member supported formovement in opposite first and second directions, said release memberbeing operatively connected to said shutter means and to said platenpressure member for moving said platen pressure member into said firstposition and then for actuating said shutter means when said releasemember is moved in said first direction; means for disengaging saidsensing member from said film advance pawl during movement of saidrelease member in the first direction until said shutter means isactuated; means operatively connecting said release member to saidmetering member for moving said metering member and said platen pressuremember into said second positions when said release member is moved insaid second direction after actuation of said shutter means; meansoperatively connecting said release member to said film advance pawl forengaging said drive member with said film advance pawl to advance thefilm after said platen pressure member and said metering member havemoved to the second positions, and then to move said metering memberinto said first position; and short stroke means effective after filmadvancement has commenced for preventing movement of the release memberin the first direction until completion of the movement of the releasemember in the second direction.
 14. The invention according to claim 13wherein anti-creep means is provided to maintain said film drive memberstationary during movement of the release member in said firstdirection, said anti-creep means includes means engaging said film drivemember and frictionally engaging a stationary portion of the camera.